Light-signal apparatus.



G. DALEN.

LIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 1912 Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

4 Fla. 1

INVENTOR WITNESSES A TTORNE Y COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO WASmNm D. c

G. DALEN.

LIGHT SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOH 11mm APR. 23, 1912.

1,079,544, Patented NOV. 25, 1913.

2 8HEETSBHEET 2.

I f I 5 I! 7 Fl $5 9 75 O 77 i\ 76 18 0. O 1 I BY W ATMWW W A TTORNE Y COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D L

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUSTAF DALEN, OFSTOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN GASACCUMULATOR COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

LIGHT-SIGNAL APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, GUSTAF DALiiN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing in Stockholm, Sweden, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Light- Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to light signal ap paratus of the general character or" that illustrated in certain of my previous patents, as for instance, United States Patent No. 952,420, issued to me March 15, 1910, and it has for one of its objects to provide an improvement in the construction of means for varying the lengths of the periods of darkness or for varying the lengths of the light periods of a light signaling apparatus.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be referred to or will be apparent from the detailed description of my invention which follows.

My invention consists of mechanism which is adapted to vary the lengths of the dark periods or the light periods of a light signal apparatus, which mechanism is adapted to be operated by means of the increase and decrease of gas pressure in the gas receiving chamber of the apparatus.

My invention also comprehends the combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and as particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated convenient forms of embodiments of my invention but it will be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the form and relative arrangement of the parts may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from my invention.

In the drawings to which reference should be had for a full understanding of my inveution,Figure l is a vertical sectional view, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, of a construction embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof with the diaphragm cover removed therefrom and with certain parts of the casing broken away and shown in section; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 23, 1912.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

Serial No. 692,590.

top plan View similar to Fig. 2 showing a slight modification in the construction.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a casing closed by means of a diaphragm 2, the outer edges of which are located upon the upper edge of the casing 1 and secured thereto by means of a clamping ring 3 held in clamping position by means of the screw bolts 4. The diaphragm is provided at its center with a downwardly depending memher 5 having an elongated slot or opening 6 therein through which the end of a rod or bar 7 projects. The said bar is pivotally mounted upon a pivot 8 upon the upper end of the upturned portion 9 of the member 10 secured to the bottom of the casing 1. The bar 7 is pressed downwardly by means of a spring the outer ends of which are coiled around the pivot 8. The bar 7 also extends through an opening in a block 16 secured to the valve plate 17 which is pivoted in a known manner upon the pointed ends of the bolts 18 which are secured in the upturned end portion 9 of the member 10. An opening 20 is provided through the block 16 at right angles to the opening therein through which the bar 7 extends and through the said opening 20 a wedge or take-up block 21 passes which wedge is jointed to an arm 22 which is pivoted on a stud 23 and is pressed against the inner end of an adjusting screw 24 by means of a spring 25 as is shown in the drawings. The construction of the connection between the diaphragm and the valve plate 17 provides a certain amount of lost motion and by adjusting the position of the wedge or take-up block 21 the amount of such lost motion is Varied and by thus varying the amount of the lost motion the lengths of the light and dark periods of the apparatus are varied in a known manner.

As in the previous constructions of this character invented and patented by me, a gas outlet extends from the chamber within the casing l to a burner (not shown) and by the opening and closing of the said pipe the light and the dark periods of the apparatus are produced. The main gas supplying pipe 31 for supplying gas to the cas ing chamber is connected with a valve seat 32 the opening in which is adapted to be opened and closed by means of the valve plate 17. The outlet pipe 30 is connected with a valve seat 33 having an opening therein which is also opened and closed by means of the valve plate 17 in a known manner. The valve plate oscillates in a known manner between the valve seats 32 and 33. A spring 35, also of known construction and action, operates to hold the valve downwardly upon the valve seat 33.

In the operation of the device as thus far described, it will be understood that as in previous constructions when the valve plate is in the position indicated in Fig. 3 the gas is flowing in through the su ply pipe 31 and that as it continues to ow into the chamber of the casing 1 the diaphragm cover 2 rises and in rising, by reason of its connection with the valve plate 17, lifts the latter out of engagement with the valve seat 33 to open the said valve and carries the same against the valve seat 32 to close the opening therein and thus cut off the supply of gas through the pipe 31. The opening in the valve seat 33 being thus opened the gas escapes through the pipe 30 to the burner and the light from the latter gives a light period.

It is desirable to vary the intervals of darkness between the light periods at times so as to render the signal light at a certain place or station of distinctive character. As a means for effecting that result, I have provided an auxiliary gas supplying pipe 40 which communicates with a small chamber 41 in a valve casing 42 which is supported upon the member 10. The said valve casing is provided with an opening which is adapted to be opened and closed by means of a valve plug 43 having a cone-shaped surface 44 which is adapted to be seated upon a correspondingly shaped surface in one side of the casing 42, as is shown in Fig. 4. The valve plug 43 is pressed against its seat in the valve casing 42 by means of a spring 45. The valve plug is provided with a stem 46 which is adapted to cooperate with the valve plate 17 of a member controlled thereby for the purpose of causing movement of the said valve plug 44 to open and close the valve opening in the valve casing 42. In the construction as illustrated, I have provided a ratchet wheel 50 which is supported upon a bracket 51 carried upon the valve plate 17. The said ratchet wheel is provided with perforations 52 which are located at intervals therein at equal distances from its axis. Means is provided for causing rotation of the said ratchet wheel 50 and as it rotates the perforations 52 are moved consecutively over and into alinement with the valve stem 46. When the said valve stem is in alinement with a perforation 52 and the valve plate 17 is moved downwardly, the said stem enters such perforation and the result is that the valve plug 44 is not actuated and consequently it re mains in position to close the opening from the valve chamber 41. However, if the ratchet wheel 50 is in such position that a perforation 52 is not in alinement with the valve stem 46 the latter'together with the valve plug 44 is depressed with the result that the opening from the valve chamber 41 is opened and as a result gas enters the valve chamber in the casing 1 through the pipe 40. It will be seen, therefore, that at certain times both the main supply pipe 31 and the auxiliary pipe 40 are open so that gas is flowing into the chamber of the casing 1 simultaneously from said pipes, but that at other times the main supply pipe only is opened when the valve plate 17 moves downwardly on to the seat 33.

As a means for causing rotation of the ratchet wheel 50 I provide a rod 60 the inner end of which is supported upon a bracket 61 upon the opposite sides of which collars 62 are provided which may be em ployed to limit the movement of the said rod 60. I have also secured to the rod 60 a spring 63 which extends laterally from the said rod 60 and engages the teeth upon the ratchet wheel 50 as is shown in the drawings. The opposite end of the rod 60 is connected to a diaphragm 65 in an opening in the side of the casing 1. It may be noted here that reverse or backward movement of the ratchet wheel 50 is prevented by means of a spring-pressed pawl 66.

In the construction as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, I have provided just inside of the diaphragm 65 a member 67 which acts as a support or abutment for a spring wire 70 which is coiled around the rod 60 and the other end of which presses against a plate 71 secured upon the said rod.

The pressure and the reduction of pressure of the gas in the chamber of the casing 1 is the means. relied upon for causing the actuation of the ratchet wheel 50. Then the valve for controlling the outflow of gas through the pipe 30 is closed and the gas is entering the chamber of the casing 1 through the supply pipe 31 or simultaneously through the said pipe and the auxiliary gas supplying pipe 40, the diaphragm 65 is subjected to increased interior pressure and is caused by the force of such pressure to move outwardly sin'iultaneously with the outward movement of the diaphragm 2. The result is that the spring 70 is compressed against the abutment men'iber 67 and the rod 60 is pulled outwardly so that the spring 63 is disengaged from one tooth of the ratchet wheel 50 and is carried outwardly a sufi r cient distance to engage the next succeeding tooth. Thereafter the gas supply valves are closed and the outlet valve is opened with the result that the gas escapes through the pipe 30 so that the pressure of the gas in the chamber of the casing 1 is reduced. The

spring expands and augments the force exerted by the tendency of the diaphragm G5 to return to normal position as the pressure in the chamber of the casing 1 decreases and muses movement of the rod 30 inwardly to cause a one step movement of the ratchet 50 on its pivot. lit being understood that the lengths of the 'iericds ot' darlvness is dependent upon the periods of time that are required for a sufiicient amount 9 as to How into the chamber of the casing t5 1 to lift the diaphragm Q to close the valve to which the supply gas pipe is connected, it will be obvious that it means pro'ided which varies the amount of gas which enters the said chamber at and during certain intervals the lengths of the dark periods will be varied.

In the present construction, the pcril orations in the ratchet wheel 50 are located at equal distances from each other and the distances between them are such that at every third depression or downward move-- meat of the valve plate 1?, the valve stem 4t, is in alincment with a pcrlfi'u-ation 32 and in consequence thereot the valve closing plug 4 is not depres l have, theretore provided a construction in which two short dark periods are followed by one lorg dark period.

In Fig. (3 I have illust'ated a construction in which the sn'ing 2'0 shown in l and tor augmenting the action of the diaphragm ($5 is omitted. in said Fig. (3 l have pro 'ided a chamber T5 with which the outlet pipe 2} communicates. The said chamber is closed by means of a ditphragm To which located in parallel relation to a diaphragm I? of substantially less area, which closes the opening it in the side of the casino; 1. The two diaphragms are separated from each other by means of a riugdilte member it) which serves as a clamping mean-i or holding the diaphragm T? in pt .ion and as a sipporiing means for the diaphragm To whirh is clamped and held between the outer edge of the said ring-like member and the casing: of the chamber 75. The ring 79 is providcd with a hole whereby the cham ber within the same and between the diaphragms it and T7 is in communic with the open air. The casing of the cnanr ber '75 and the ringdilie member Ti) are secured together and to the body of the l in any suitabl and desired marncr rod (it) connected. :1. shown. to l the diaphragnzs 7e and T1" tor a pur to be hcreat'ter set forth. will be understood that when the valve which controls the tiow of gas trcm the chamber of the casing l JOSE is due to the fact that the pipe 80 leading from the said chamber to the burner is in communication at the burner with the outside air. At such time the gas is entering the chamber of the casing 1 through the supply pipe 31 or through the latter and the pipe 40 simultaneously vith the result that the pressure in the said chamber reaches 2 point in excess of toe normal atmospheric pressure in the chamber so that the diaphragms 76 and T? are moved outwardly carrying therewitl the rod (it). Upon the closure, however, of the 'alve or valves which control the flow of gas into the chamher in the casing .l and the opening;- of the valve of tha pipe 3 communication is established between said chamber and the chamber 75 so that the gas pressure within the said two chambers is equal. By reason, however, of the fact that the area of the diaphragm 76 which closes one side of the chamber 75 is substantially greater than the area of the diaphragm 77 which clov's the opening 78 leading from the chamber in the casing l and ot the further tact that the chamber between the said diaphragms is in commnication with the open air. the force ere cried by the said diaphragm 75 by reason of the gas pressure thereon is greater than the opposing force of the diaphragm 77 so that he resultant ot the two forces is in a direction to cause movement of both of the said diaphragms To and T7 and the rod 60 and the parts connected th reto inwardly or toward the right. having reference to Fig. (3, to cause movement of the ratchet wheel 50. Each inward movement of the diaph 'agnis and the rod so, as thus stated, causes a one step movement of the ratchet wheel 50.

its already pointed out. in the construction as illustrated in which the valve for ccntrolling the supply of gas through the supplemental pipe 40 is opened simultaneously with the opening of the alve for controlling the. inflow of gas, except when the valve stem 46 is in alinement with one of the ertlnati-cns in the ratchet w heel 50, I iavc two relatively short dark periods and one relatively long darlt. period alternating of course with light periods. in case, how ever. it should be desired to have two relatively lor; light periods followed by a single relatively short light period, I can accomplish this result by merely reversing the position of the valve mechanism and the ratchet It) asscciated therewith with respect to the valve plate 17 so that, except when the valve stem 46 is in alincment with a perforation ratchet wheel 50, gas is permitted to in tilt, enter the chamber of the casing 1 during the time that the valve of the outlet pipe 30 is opened instead of when the valve of the gas supply pipe 31 is opened. This relative arrangement of the ratchet wheel 50 and the valve construction associated therewith for controlling the inflow of gas from the pipe 40 with respect to the valve plate 17 is not illustrated because such change in relationship does not chan 'e the actual construc tion. The SAIHQ construction and mechanism are merely employed for opening the controlling valve for the auxiliary supply pipe during the periods when the outlet valve of the pipe 30 is opened instead of when the inlet valve of the supply pipe 31 is opened. It is clear that it the auxiliary pipe 40 and the outlet pipe 30 are open at the same time, gas will be flowing into the chamber of the casing l at the same time that it flowing therefrom through the pipe 30 with the result that the outflow will continue for a longer period than oth rwise would be the case so that the lengths of the light periods are thus increased.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the ratchet wheel 50 is actuated by mec ianisni controlled by forces due to the increase of pressure and reduction of pressure of the gas within the chamber of the casii'ig l of the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. in light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, means for supplying gas thereto, means for delivering the gas therefrom to a burner, means for controlling the flow of gas into and from the said chamber so that the inflow and outflow thcreot' may be caused to take place during periodic intervals, and mechanism opcratcd and controlled by the increase and decrease of pressure in the said chamber for causing a periodically increased flow of gas into said chamber. the said mechanism being independent of the said means for controlling the flow of gas into and from said chamber.

5.". in light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, a gas outlet from said chamber for supplying gas to a burne' at intervals, a main supply pipe for conducting gas into the said chamber at intervals, means actuated by the increase and decrease of gas pressure in said casing to cause the said outlet and supply pipe to be opened and closed, an auxiliary gas supplying means, and mechanism operated and controlled by the increase and decrease of pressure in the said chamber for causing the flow of gas from the said auxiliary source into the chamber at intervals, the said mechanism being independent of the said means tor :ausing the said outlet and supply pipe to be closed.

3. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, an outlet conduit for supplying gas to a burner, a conduit for supplying to the said chamber, means for alternately opening and closing the said conduits, auxiliary means for supplying gas to the said chamber, and mechanism including a diaphragm operated and controlled by the increase and decrease of gas pressure in the said chamber for periodically permitting gas to enter the said chamber from the said auxiliary source.

4. In light signal apparatus, the combina tion of a casing having a chamber, a diaphragm for closing the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of to a burner, an inlet Valve for controlling the supply of to the said chamber, a valve member having connection with the said diaphragm and oscillating between the said valves to open and close the same to control the outflow and the inflow Of gas through the said valves, an inlet valve for controlling a supply of gas to the said chamber from an auxiliary source, and mechanism including an additional diaphragm controlled and actuated by the increase and decrease of pressure of gas in the said chamber for alternately opening and closing the said last mentioned valve for periodically permitting the flow of gas from the said auxiliary source into the said chamber.

In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, a diaphragm for closing the same, an outlet from said chamber to supply gas to a burner, an

inlet for supplying gas to said chamber,

means having connection with the said diaphragm for alternately opening and closing the said outlet and the said inlet, an auxiliary inlet for supplying gas to the said chamber, a valve for closing the said auxiliary inlet, and means independent of the said diaphragm Which is responsive to the increase and decrease of pressure in the said chamber and which means controls and actuates mechanism to open the valve of the said auxiliary inlet at intervals whereby gas is permitted to enter the said chamber periodically through the said auxiliary inlet.

6. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber which is closed by a diaphragm, movement of whichis caused by the varying pressures of gas in the said chamber, an outlet from said chamber for supplying to a burner, an inlet for supplying to the said chamber, a valve opening and closing member actuated by the said diaphragm tor alternately opening and closing the said outlet and inlet, an auxiliary inlet for supplying gas to said chamber, a valve for closing the said inlet, means associated with the said valve closing member for controlling the valve of the said auxiliary inlet, and mechanism actuated independently of said diaphragm and controlled by the varying gas pressures in the said chamber for actuating the means for controlling the said auxiliary valve whereby the periods between the opening of the latter may be varied.

7. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a valve casing having a chamber which is closed by a diaphragm which is responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, a main inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve closing member actuated by the said diaphragm to open and close the said valves, an auxiliary valve for controlling an auxiliary supply of gas to the said chamber, a rotatable device for opening the said auxiliary valve at intervals, and mechanism including an additional diaphragm operated and controlled by the varying gas pressures Within the said chamber for causing rotation of the said device.

8. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber which ch amber is closed by a diaphragm which is responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, a main inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member connected to the said diaphragm and actuated thereby for opening and closing the outlet and the inlet valves, an auxiliary valve for opening and closing an auxiliary gas supplying conduit, a rotatable device movable wit-h the said valve closing member for opening the said auxiliary valve, the said device being provided with means whereby predetermined intervals between the opening of the said auxiliary valve differ in length from other such intervals, and mechanism independent of the said diaphragm which mechanism is actuated by the varying pressure of the gas within the chamber for causing rotation of the said device.

9. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber which chamber is closed by a diaphragm the said diaphragm being responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, a main inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member oscillating between the said valves for opening and closing the same the said valve member being actuated by the said diaphragm, a valve for controlling the flow of gas into said chamber from an auxiliary source, a rotatable device supported upon the said valve member provided with means whereby the said auxiliary valve is held open during certain predetermined intervals when the said valve member occupies one of its two positions, and mechanism operated and controlled by the varying gas pressures in the said chamber for causing rotation of the said device.

10. In light signal apparatus, the combination cf a casing having a chamber which is closed by a diaphragm which diaphragm is responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, a main inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member connected to the said diaphragm and actuated thereby for opening and closing the outlet and the inlet valves, an auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas into the said chamber from an auxiliary source, a second diaphragm responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, and mechanism intermediate the said diaphragm and the said auxiliary valve for causing the opening of the latter at predetermined intervals.

11. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, an inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member oscillating between the said valves for opening and closing the same, an auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas into the said chamber from an auxiliary source, a ratchet wheel carried upon the said valve member, which ratchet wheel is provided with means whereby the said auxiliary valve may be periodically opened, and mechanism operated by the varying pressures in the said chamber for causing rotation of the said ratchet wheel, the said mechanism being independent of the said oscillating valve member.

12. In lightsignal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, which chamber is closed by a diaphragm, which diaphragm is responsive to the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to a burner, an inlet valve for cont-rolling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member connected to the said diaphragm and actuated thereby for opening and closing the outlet and the inlet valves, an auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas into the said chamber, and a device movable synchronously with and also independently of the said valve member and having means whereby the auxiliary valve is opened a predetermined number of periods when the said valve member occupies one or the other of its positions and is not opened during a succeeding period when the said valve member occupies such position.

13. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber which chamber is closed by a diaphragm, valves for controlling the inflow and outflow of gas into and from the said chamber, a valve member having connection with the said diaphragm and actuated thereby to alternately open and close the said valves, an auxiliary valve for controlling a flow of gas into the said chamber from an auxiliary source, said auxiliary valve having a valve stem, at

ratchet wheel supported upon the said valve member in operative relation to the said auxiliary valve, the said ratchet wheel having perforations at intervals therein which are adapted to be moved into alinement with the said auxiliary valve stem, a second diaphragm which is responsive to the action of the varying gas pressures in the said chamber, and a member having connection with the said second diaphragm and being movable therewith and being in engagement with the said ratchet wheel to cause rotation thereof to bring the said vperforations in the said ratchet Wheel and the spaces between the same into successive alinement with the said auxiliary valve stem.

14. In light signal apparatus, the combination of a casing having a chamber, an outlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas from said chamber, an inlet valve for controlling the delivery of gas to the said chamber, a valve member oscillating between the said valves for opening and closing the same, means for causing oscillation of said valve member, an auxiliary valve for controlling the delivery of gas into the said chamber from an auxiliary source, a ratchet wheel provided with means whereby the said auxiliary valve may be periodically opened, and mechanism operated by the varying pressures in the said chamber for causing rotation of the said ratchet wheel, the said mechanism including a tension spring, the said mechanism being independent of the said oscillating valve and the means for causing oscillation thereof.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this 2nd day of April, A. D. 1912.

GUSTAF DALEN.

In the presence of- WALDEMAR BoMAN, S. SJoGREN.

copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

